As Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House in January, his campaign promise to grant federal recognition to North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe is under scrutiny. With 55,000 members, the state-recognized tribe played a pivotal role in securing Trump’s North Carolina victory by more than three percentage points.
During his campaign, Trump vowed to sign legislation recognizing the Lumbee Tribe, a move that would provide access to federal funds and critical resources. Now, tribal nations across the country are watching to see if Trump will follow through.
The Lumbee have long sought federal recognition through Congress rather than the traditional application process via the Department of the Interior. Lumbee Chairman John Lowery criticized the Interior’s process as “flawed” and overly time-consuming, arguing that Congress must address this “historic injustice.”
“It’s frustrating to still be fighting this fight,” Lowery said, emphasizing the importance of action in 2024.
A Contentious Path to Recognition
Federal recognition would grant the Lumbee access to benefits such as health care through Indian Health Services and the ability to establish reservation lands. However, the Lumbee have faced resistance from other tribes and lawmakers who believe the tribe should follow the Interior’s formal application process.
The Lumbee’s congressional approach has reignited debates about Indigenous identity and tribal sovereignty. Some tribes, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina, oppose bypassing the traditional recognition process.
Critics, including several tribal leaders, claim the Lumbee’s historical claims are questionable. They argue that the tribe’s past identification as “Cherokee Indians of Robeson County” is misleading.
Despite these objections, the Lumbee have garnered bipartisan support in Congress, notably from North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
Political Bargaining and Opposition
Tillis has been a staunch ally of the Lumbee, introducing the Lumbee Fairness Act and using his influence to push for their recognition. However, his tactics have drawn sharp criticism.
Tillis has reportedly blocked unrelated legislation, including a land transfer for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, in an effort to pressure tribal leaders to back the Lumbee recognition. The land in question, located in Monroe County, Tennessee, includes the birthplace of Sequoyah, a key figure in Cherokee history.
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“It’s disgraceful,” said Principal Chief Michell Hicks of the Eastern Band, condemning Tillis’s approach.
Tillis also delayed a bill to preserve the Wounded Knee massacre site, accusing tribal leaders of opposing his Lumbee legislation. He attributed their resistance to what he called a “casino cartel” seeking to limit competition. This accusation, targeting the Eastern Band and an Osage attorney, has been widely denounced.
Looking Ahead
For the Lumbee, the path to recognition remains uncertain. While Lowery acknowledges Tillis’s efforts, he denies any coordination with the senator’s controversial tactics.
“If Senator Tillis has put holds on other bills, it’s because those leaders declined to support his efforts for us,” Lowery said.
Trump’s position on the matter remains unclear. While a source close to him suggested he might require the Lumbee to pursue recognition through the Interior, his spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, emphasized that no policy is official until confirmed by Trump himself.
The Lumbee’s journey to federal recognition has been fraught with political maneuvering, historical disputes, and deep-rooted opposition. As the nation watches, the outcome of this decades-long fight could set a significant precedent for tribal recognition in the United States.
This article was updated to clarify that the Lumbee Tribe was denied the ability to apply for federal recognition in 1987, not 1985.
By Graham Lee Brewer, Associated Press